“LESS IS MORE” Marillion (Eagle Records) ****+
Marillion- a name I’ve read in music mags a thousand times, yet a band I’d never made the effort to know. As their terrific new acoustic album plays on the headphones, I smack myself in the forehead for being such a witless tool.
Nearly a quarter century into a stealthy existence called a career, UK’s Marillion pause to look back, combing their old records for these dozen tracks (including 2 ‘bonus’ live performances) to strip nude and redress in minimalistic, intimate acoustic arrangements. The result is Coldplay-ish- languid and dramatic, but with an apparent difference- I really dig this, but literally cannot stand Chris Martin and his cronies. Now the work begins- the joyous task of tracking down the original versions of these songs and really discovering Marillion. “Less Is More” is, quite simply, excellent.
KEY CUTS: “The Space”, “Interior Lulu”, “This Is The 21st Century”